The Hilbert Museum of California Art in Orange, California, focuses on art connected to California, including paintings, illustration, animation and Hollywood studio art. Its free admission and location across from the Orange train station make it a practical museum outing from Santa Ana.
- Location: 167 N. Atchison Street, Orange, California
- Regular hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday
- Admission: free; a free online reservation is recommended
What the Hilbert Museum displays
The Hilbert Museum’s collection spans California art from the late 1800s to today. It includes California Scene paintings, illustration, Hollywood studio art and animation.
The Hilbert Collection holds more than 5,000 works, including oils, watercolors, illustrations, drawings, animation art and movie production art. The museum was founded through the ongoing generosity of art patrons and philanthropists Mark and Janet Hilbert.
That range gives the museum several ways into California’s visual culture, from painted scenes to work made for film and animation. Exhibition displays can change, so check what is on view when planning your visit.
Admission and visitor information
Admission is free, and the museum recommends making a free online reservation. You can request a scheduled arrival time; reservations remain valid until 5:00 p.m. and allow same-day re-entry, space permitting. Visitors without reservations may be admitted if space permits.
Opening hours
- Wednesday to Sunday: 10 AM–5 PM
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Groups of 10–20 need to call 714-516-5880 to arrange advance reservations. The museum cannot currently accommodate groups larger than 20. Reservations cannot be made by telephone or through the website contact form.
Inside the galleries, leave artwork, walls and cases untouched, and stay behind the black-tape boundary on the floor. Food, drinks and gum are not allowed in galleries; sealed water bottles may be kept in bags. Photography is encouraged without flash or selfie sticks, while videography and unauthorized photo shoots are prohibited.
Hours and exhibition planning
The museum’s regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; it is closed Monday and Tuesday. Exhibition listings can change, so check the official site before you go.
Use the museum’s exhibition information to choose what to see, then plan your arrival around your reservation time if you have one. The reservation remains valid until closing, and same-day re-entry is permitted when space allows.
How do you get from Santa Ana to the museum?
The museum is at 167 N. Atchison Street in Orange, directly across the street from the Orange train station. From Santa Ana Travel Inn, it is about a 7-minute drive.
If you are arriving by car, the museum recommends the free Old Towne West parking structure at 130 N. Lemon Street, one block east. Free two-hour street parking is often available on N. Cypress Street behind the museum, on the museum side only. There is also a small onsite lot with spaces marked “RESERVED HILBERT MUSEUM.”
Parking spaces for vehicles displaying a valid disability placard are available in all three parking areas. Visitor drop-off and pickup are allowed at the main entrance. The museum is approximately half a block from an OCTA and Chapman University bus stop and about one block from the Orange train station.
Accessibility and arrival considerations
The museum is ADA-compliant and arranged on one level, with an entrance level with the parking lot and sidewalk. All building restrooms are accessible.
ADA-defined service animals are welcome; pets and emotional support animals are not permitted. If you are arranging a drop-off, use the main entrance. For a broader look at local transport options, see getting around Santa Ana.
Combining the museum with nearby Orange
The museum’s location across from the Orange train station makes it straightforward to pair a visit with time in Orange. The museum itself is at 167 N. Atchison Street, and the Old Towne West parking structure is one block east if you are driving.
For more ideas on arranging a day around Santa Ana, see a one-day Santa Ana itinerary.
FAQs
Is admission to the Hilbert Museum free?
Yes. Admission is free, and the museum recommends a free online reservation. Walk-ins may be admitted as space permits.
What are the museum’s regular opening hours?
Open Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday. Check the official site before going for the latest visitor information.
Can you park at the Hilbert Museum?
There is a small onsite lot, and the museum recommends the free Old Towne West parking structure one block east. Free two-hour street parking is often available on N. Cypress Street behind the museum, on the museum side only.
Is the museum accessible for visitors with disabilities?
The museum says it is ADA-compliant, all on one level, and has accessible restrooms. Parking spaces for vehicles displaying a valid disability placard are available in all three parking areas.